New York Style Bagels as per The Sophisticated Gourmet

                                                                           

Large Crusty Chewy Bagels! They have always been a favorite of mine! There is nothing better than a bagel split & then toasted spread with butter & homemade jam, or peanut butter, or turned into a Bacon, Egg, & Cheese Sandwich. I have always bought my bagels but wanted to try making them myself! This is the result! HURRAY!

1 Packet of Active Dry Yeast

1 & 1/2 TBS Sugar

1 & 1/4 Cups Warm Water, more or less

3 & 1/2 Cups Bread Flour

1 & 1/2 TSP Sugar

Take 1/2 Cup of the warm water & in a bowl, add the yeast & sugar & do NOT mix just let it sit for 5 minutes & then stir. 

In a large deep bowl mix bread flour & the salt, make a well in the middle & pour in your yeast mixture + the rest of the warm water about 3/4 cup or so & mix this all into your dough. Turn your stiff but moist dough out onto a floured surface & knead for 10 minutes until dough is elastic & smooth. Spray a bowl with cooking spray, place dough in the bottom & turn in over one time. Cover with a damp kitchen towel & let it sit in a warm place until dough is double in size about 1 hour. Once dough is double punch it down & let it sit for 10 minutes. Now divide the dough into 8 equal balls. Roll the balls one at a time in your hand until uniform. Gently but firmly press your thumb through the middle to make the hole, shape into a bagel form about 1/2 the size it will be after it is baked . Place on  cookie sheet & do this with each dough ball. Cover with your damp towel & let sit for 10 more minutes. Now preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Take a large deep pot of water & bring it to the boil. Once the resting period is over for your shaped bagels take 2 or 3 at a time & drop them into the boiling water. Simmer for 2 minutes & then flip them over & simmer for 2 more minutes. Remove from the pot with a slotted spoon or spatula. Place onto a lightly sprayed cookie sheet. Do all 8 bagels. Once that step is done beat up 1 egg white with 1 TBS water. Wash the top of each boiled bagel & sprinkle with any topping you choose. I used coarse Sea Salt. You may use Fresh Chopped Onion, Poppy Seeds, Fresh Chopped Garlic, Sesame Seeds, or Cinnamon & Sugar, Now bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown! Cool on wire racks. Once cooled I like to slice mine & toast them then spread with my favorite spread or make into  a sandwich!